TRAI has rejected the Telecom Commission's contention of free offers by Reliance Jio playing havoc on finances of telecom companies saying its policies are aimed at promoting competition and lower tariffs that benefit consumers.

Government should move to a flat levy for spectrum usage charge as suggested by Trai or clearly specify a timeline in case it decides to adopt an interim weighted average formula, industry body COAI Wednesday said.

New Delhi: The government has slashed the spectrum usage charges from 5 percent of adjusted gross revenues (AGR) to 3 percent, which could lead to lowering of consumer tariffs for calls and broadband, reported The Times of India.

Noted technocrat Sam Pitroda, who is credited as the father of the nation's telecom revolution, Tuesday flayed the Narendra Modi government for snatching away all the credit for the digital revolution started by Rajiv Gandhi, saying Modi "did not" initiate the digital India drive.

Inter-ministerial panel Telecom Commission (TC) today said it has finalised its view on the much awaited spectrum sharing and trading guidelines, which will be sent to the Cabinet for final approval by month-end.

Inter-ministerial panel Telecom Commission has suggested a base price of Rs 3,705 crore per megahertz as 3G spectrum base price for upcoming auction, about 11 percent higher than what companies paid for the same in 2010 sale.

Inter-ministerial panel Telecom Commission's meeting is scheduled to be held on January 19 to discuss issues related to national optical fibre project, which is moving at snail's pace, and involve private players for expediting it.